St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-12-29

to wear high dress, hers will not be
as conspicuous as If she were among
the others. l agree entirely with your
father, and am glad it was not your
suggestion that the rest should wear
low dresses"
So the matter was settled, and in
due time the wedding came off. 1t
was pretty wedding, as Nanny had
assured grandma it would be; but the
old people of Traverse did not come
down for it; the snow lay deep over
all the country, the thermometer sank
to depths unusual even in New Eng
land, and keen winds swept across the
shining drifts that seemed to pierce
the heaviest clothing.
"We love We just as much, DEAR
wrote grandma, ''as though we come
to see you married; but we're old
folks, and the weather is considerable
cold for anybody to be out in; and he
is threatened some with sciatiky, so
we dursn't resk it. So we send you a
little matter to buy weddin' present
with, bein' you're all the gran'child
we've got, and do We get somethin'
real useful or comfortable with it for
to remember your very loving grand
pa and grandma"
A check for five hundred dollars fell
from the letter.
"Oh," exclaimed Nanny. "NOw
can have a seal skin! | didn't want
to ask father for it,"
While the the bridal procession was
forming, am afraid even at the altar,
certainly at the after receptiOn-the
"best man" was observed by disin-
terested spectator to turn his eyes very
often upon Aida Van Alstyne. No
wonder; she was very lovely girl,
and tonight was at her best; the deli
cate rose satin that clothed her stately
1.-THE figure up to her throat and down
to her wrists shone like pale sunset
through the filmy lace that was draped
over it and caught up with blush roses;
where the lace crossed her bosom in
soft folds from either shoulder bunch
of the same roses nestled, and the frill
of rich lace that stood up about her
throat was held in place apparently by
silver tilagree, fine as frost work,
clasped by a rose of pink coral in
whose heart sparkled diamond dew
drop the short veil that rested on her
cOrOnet of dark hair was held by a rose
and bud; the whole dress was exqui-
site. And best of all, a warm natural
color lit her fine face, and she looked
as she felt, comfortable and at ease.
But the Others-pOOr souls, how
could they help it7-were pinched
with cold their cheeks cOlorless, their
pretty noses absolutely blue and RO-
sina Leavitt could not smother with
her utmost efforts and her lace hand
kerchief the incessant little cough that
made DR.. Campbell knit his forehead
and stir uneasily in his seat, for he
knew the girl had a sad inheritance of
blood her mother came of a consump
tive family.
DR.. Everett Adams did not forget his
admiration for the ''first bridesmaid"
when this wedding was over. He be-
came more and more devoted, and the
next September society in B was
pleased but not surprised to hear his
engagement to Miss Van Alstyne an
nounced. By a rather odd coincidence
their wedding too was fixed for Christ
mas eve. Aida Van Alstyne was very
wealthy, if she was very sensible. She
had as many .'maids" to attend her as
Nanny Campbell, and she gave them
their dresses. They were of rose sat
in too, but made high in the neck and
long sleeved, the quantity cut basques
trimmed with white fur, broad band
of it edging the short full skirts; poke
bOnnets of the same satin wreathed
with short ostrich tips, and punches of
white roses on the left shoulder, COM
pleted the charming and warm cos
tunes. Not one among the pretty
group had ever looked SO pretty or
been more comfortable. And the
bride was lOvelier than ever in her
close robe of spOtless satin, with no
sparkle of jewel or glitter of gold about
her, but prOfuse white roses garland
ing from throat to hem her long dress,
and crown of them fastening the veil
of Mechlin that was all the drapery
that fell over the solid moonlight folds
of her train.
Mrs. Jack Norton looked on from a
chancel pew, and thinking of her own
wedding, gave a silent sigh to poor
ROsina Leavitt, sleeping in her South
ern grave. That troublesome little
cough had done its work. She had
taken cold in the church, aud gone
down to death so fast no human power
could stay her steps.
"Do you know what first fixed my
young affection on you, as the novel
lists say, Aida 2" asked DR.. Adams, as
he sat with his bride on the walls OF
the old fort at st. Augustine two weeks
after their wedding.
''I suppose it was my beauty" she
answered with look and laugh of CO.
quettish mischief, for Everett Adams
had always said that he never could or
would marry any woman merely for
her good looks.
''No, indeed, madame. Though l
don't deny the self-evident fact of
your ladyship's loveliness. But the
first thing that attracted me was your
and comfortable dress at Mrs.
Norton's wedding. If the other brides
maids had only known how pinched
and forlorn they looked, how little
those. bare arms and necks were adj
mired by the spectators, it would have
taught them some things. But you
were blooming and radiant, and your
dress far handsOmer than theirs. L
could not have fallen in love with a
red nose and pale cheeks, | admit"
Aida laughed and the doctor kissed
her. There was only sea-gull to be
shocked.